Ripped off by mail order business SAS? You might be in line for a refund

Attorney general's office reaches settlement after investigating.

September 20, 2011|Paul Muschick | The Watchdog

Mail order business SAS Group Inc. has settled a state investigation by agreeing to pay a fine and restitution to customers who were duped into paying excessive shipping and handling fees, including for products that were advertised as free, the Pennsylvania attorney general's office announced this morning.

The office said it investigated the business after receiving numerous complaints from customers. Attorney General Linda Kelly said in a news release that SAS took orders through an automated phone system, which took credit card information before providing customers with the total cost of their order. After the credit card information was entered, customers allegedly were told they would have to pay additional shipping and handling fees, Kelly said.

Customers also were offered additional free promotional products, Kelly said, but those products came with shipping and handling fees "that far exceeded the actual cost for shipping and handling and in many instances reflect the actual cost of the item."

The settlement prohibits SAS from making false and misleading statements in future sales, including telling customers that products are free if there are shipping and handling charges associated with them.

SAS has agreed to pay $2,796 in restitution to customers, a $22,000 fine and $20,203 to be used for future consumer protection efforts. SAS also agreed to pay additional restitution to other customers who have not yet filed complaints, but who file verified claims within 60 days.

If you believe you are entitled to restitution, contact the attorney general's office at 800-441-2555 or file a complaint online.